The article I chose to discuss is called “Industrial Solvent TCE even more dangerous to people”. It explains how Trichloroethylene (TCE), “one of the most widespread groundwater contaminants in the nation is more dangerous to humans than earlier thought.” (Times 1, Local Section). There had been plenty of research and warnings about TCE being harmful towards our society but still no action had been taken to prevent its further destruction.
A connection I found between this article and one of our course readings came through the “Principles of Environmental Justice”. The first part of the reading that supported this article was through the first principle, “Environmental Justice affirms the sacredness of Mother Earth, ecological unity and the interdependence of all species, and the right to be free from ecological destruction.” (Principles of Environmental Justice, 1). The main sentence that sticks out in this principle is being free from ecological destruction. TCE in this L.A. Times article is the destruction that is currently, and in the past, affected humans negatively. Also, the fourth principle relates to the article when it states, “…hazardous wastes and poisons and nuclear testing that threaten the fundamental right to clean air, land, water, and food.” (Pricinples of Environmental Justice, 4). The principle states exactly at what the L.A. Times article is trying to get our society to realize and take action upon. Our lives should not be threatened of diseases due to environmental resources that are not clean and even more fixable.
This issue is relevant to our class readings in the way that humans in general have a habit of disregarding major environmental causes to our health. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) needs to consider looking over these Principles of Environmental Justice by The First National People of Color so they can realize that this is not a matter to just keep putting off. It also relates to our recent class...